Woman who suffers from hormonal disorder which makes her grow facial hair decides to embrace her BEARD after she claimed shaving and waxing was ‘destroying’ her skin – and responds to trolls who ask, ‘What are you?’
- Customer service representative LaRae Perkins, 40, from Compton, California, has struggled with hair growing on her face her whole life
- At age 12, she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – which is a condition that affects the ovaries, and results in an excess of ‘male’ hormones
- Her condition did not make growing up easy, as people would often question if LaRae was a man or a woman, asking her things like, ‘What are you?’
- LaRae recalled feeling ‘alone, embarrassed, ashamed, different, discouraged, and confused,’ after her diagnosis – but has since learned to embraced it
- She is now proudly growing out her beard, and has vowed to never shave or wax again after she claimed it was ‘destroying’ her face
- She said it took a long time for her to learn to ‘love the person she sees in the mirror,’ but she has now ‘chosen happiness over ignorance’
A woman who suffers from a hormonal disorder which results in her growing facial hair has decided to embrace her beard after she claimed shaving and waxing was ‘destroying’ her face.
Customer service representative LaRae Perkins, 40, from Compton, California, has struggled with hair growing on her face her whole life.
At age 12, she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – which is a condition that affects how the ovaries work, resulting in irregular periods and an excess of androgen (AKA ‘male’ hormones).
Her condition did not make growing up easy, as people would often question if LaRae was a man or a woman, asking her things like, ‘What are you?’
However, LaRae never let negative haters get her down, and instead, she used the cruel comments as fuel to make her stronger.
A woman who suffers from a hormonal disorder which results in her growing facial hair has decided to embrace her beard after she claimed shaving and waxing was ‘destroying’ her face
Customer service representative LaRae Perkins, 40, from Compton, California, has struggled with hair growing on her face her whole life
At age 12, she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – which is a condition that affects how the ovaries work, resulting in irregular periods and an excess of ‘male’ hormones
Her condition did not make growing up easy, as people would often question if LaRae was a man or a woman, asking her things like, ‘What are you?’
Now, she represents bearded women with positivity and power, teaching them to embrace what makes them unique by launching her very own clothing brand with the slogan, ‘Yes, I’m a girl.’
‘I began experiencing PCOS symptoms around puberty at the age of 12, but I had hair on my face my whole life,’ said LaRae.
‘I had thick sideburns that connected to the back of my hair line at a younger age.
‘The only thing mentioned at the time was that I had a higher percentage of male hormones known as androgen than most women. All women have androgen.
‘[When I started having] irregular menstrual cycles, that is how [I was diagnosed], my body was struggling to start a period. I had to be put on birth control pills to regulate it.’
LaRae recalled feeling ‘alone, embarrassed, ashamed, different, discouraged, confused, and emotional,’ after her diagnosis – but has since learned to embraced it.
According to the fashion designer, around 70-80 per cent of people with PCOS develop hirsutism – the growing of facial hair – so she is now speaking out in attempt to help others feel less alone.
‘I currently don’t treat my PCOS or hirsutism. I do not agree with any of the recommended treatments for my type of PCOS,’ she explained.
She said she doesn’t use laser hair removal, waxing, or shaving because it can ‘destroy’ her skin
‘Treatments include laser hair removal, waxing, and shaving. I love my face and skin too much to destroy it or cause more issues by trying to remove something that will never go away and I have no control over.
‘I will never shave because I love my face and don’t want to cause more issues than just having a beard, my appearance is important to me and having skin that has dark marks, pigmentation, or even razor bumps would make me sad and feel less beautiful.’
LaRae has received a mix of responses over the years, but rather than be defeated by her haters, she uses them to fuel her advocacy.
‘The feedback that I receive has been positive and negative, I only focus on the positive and use the negative as fuel to continue influencing and educating people,’ she stated.
‘Nothing hurts more than being asked, “What are you?” I had to grow a tough skin over the years, causing me to make myself choose happiness over ignorance.
‘I will never shave because I love my face and don’t want to cause more issues,’ she stated
LaRae has received a mix of responses over the years, but rather than be defeated by her haters, she uses them to fuel her advocacy
She said it took a long time for her to learn to ‘love the person she sees in the mirror,’ but she has now ‘chosen happiness over ignorance’
LaRaes family has helped her through difficult times; she has a wife – who suffers from multiple sclerosis and lupus – and a daughter to lean on if she ever needs any encouragement
‘We “bearded women” are not normal but we are human,’ she concluded. ‘You must love yourself, flaws and all, to be respected or you will just be a person hiding and trying to fit in’
‘I had to begin loving the person I see in the mirror, telling her she is beautiful everyday and it doesn’t matter what clothes I choose to wear. I’m still that beautiful being I’m looking at.
What is hirsutism – the PCOS symptom that caused LaRae’s facial hair to grow?
Hirsutism is where women have thick, dark hair on their face, neck, chest, tummy, lower back, buttocks or thighs.
Hirsutism is linked to hormones called androgens. It can happen if the level of these hormones increases or if your body becomes more sensitive to them.
The most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a condition affecting the ovaries that can also cause symptoms such as acne and irregular periods.
Sometimes there’s no obvious cause. Rarely, hirsutism can be caused by: certain medicines, using anabolic steroids, other hormonal conditions like Cushing’s syndrome and acromegaly or a tumor affecting your hormone levels.
Source: NHS
‘The most appreciative comments I have received come from my family and friends along with some of my followers.
‘The internet can be cruel but I am hoping my journey inspires other to embrace who they are.
‘My favorite compliment is, “You should be a motivational speaker,” and who knows, maybe someday I will be.
‘I have embraced my hirsutism by learning to love myself despite what others may think or have comments about and I want to lead by example for others, I would be a hypocrite if I had not learned to love myself first.’
LaRaes family has helped her through difficult times; she has a wife – who suffers from multiple sclerosis and lupus – and a daughter to lean on if she ever needs any encouragement.
‘Do your homework on the condition, get tested, and ask yourself who you love and care more about, yourself or society’s judgement on who you are,’ urged LaRae.
‘Self esteem and confidence are a must to get past what the world defines as normal.
‘We “bearded women” are not normal but we are human. You must love yourself, flaws and all, to be respected or you will just be a person hiding and trying to fit in this non perfect world.
‘I took the chance by standing out and using my voice to bring awareness and respect to all women with facial hair.
‘It has been the greatest journey and I am so glad I did it and if because of me even one woman feels she can embrace her natural self then I will have something to be proud of, it will have been worth it.’
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